Interview: ‘Materialists’ Filmmaker Celine Song Chats About Why We Go to the Movies

There are few filmmakers more interested in the human experience than Celine Song. Between Past Lives and now Materialists, Song explores our emotions, feelings, and thoughts in a way that is truly cinematic. With her latest work now having come to HBO and HBO Max, we recently spent some time on Zoom discussing the film, as well as why we go to the movies. Today, that conversation comes your way. You won’t be surprised by her answers and reasons about why we go to the theater, most likely, but you will be heartened.

In my review of the movie here from earlier in the year, I had the following to say about Song’s work:

Filmmaker Celine Song follows up Past Lives with another well thought out romantic drams, even if this one does have a broader appeal. Still, especially early on, the few jokes that there are are all pointed in a way few rom-coms are. Materialists has some humor, but there’s cynicism, heart, and soul on display in higher quantities. The weekend date crowd may be in for a surprise, but provided that they keep an open mind, what they’re going to get is a far fuller cinematic meal.

Below, you can see my chat with Song. We have a good time discussing the flick, which she’s obviously eager to do, but we also get into the larger themes of what audiences want when they go to see a movie. Now, her films certainly count, with Materialists especially being a bit more mainstream, at least on the surface, than Past Lives, but this is about more than just her work. It was fascinating to listen to her and go back and forth on the topic, as well as Materialists on the whole. We laugh, we consider life, and I think do a good job of explaining why this is one not to miss checking out, if you haven’t already…

Here now is my interview with Materialists filmmaker Celine Song. Enjoy:

Materialists is streaming on HBO Max now!